How to become a MANNA Early Bird!
Thank you for your interest in helping MANNA fill our Early Bird shift. MANNA’s Early Bird shift runs from 6am – 9am. This shift is critical as it enables MANNA to begin prepping for the day, and to pack the meals that go out to our clients. Without our Early Birds, MANNA trucks would not be on the road and our clients would not get the meals they desperately need.
As an Early Bird you will help fulfill MANNA’s mission to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to individuals and families living with cancer, renal disease, HIV/AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses. Every sick neighbor that we serve gets 3 MANNA meals a day, 7 days a week – all FREE OF CHARGE. You will help prep meal ingredients, pack bags full of nutritious meals, and ensure that the kitchen is off to an efficient start.
- The REQUIRED first step to volunteering at MANNA is to complete MANNA’s Online Volunteer application.
- Early Bird volunteers do NOT need an orientation – the chef on duty will orient you while you are in the kitchen.
- Sign up for one of our open Early Bird shifts: Early Bird Sign Up
Please contact us directly if:
- You are able to come in on a weekly basis and are interested in becoming a weekly Early Bird.
- There is a date you are interested in that is not open. We still may be able to use your help.
- Please make every effort to attend the shifts that you sign up for and to arrive PROMPTLY. MANNA clients are critically sick and depend on our meals. We rely on you, our amazing volunteers, to ensure that our meals are cooked, packed and ready to go. Please provide 48 hours of notice if you cannot attend a shift that you signed up for. Email Jen Stackhouse.
DRESS CODE:
•No sleeveless shirts or tank tops
•Must wear long pants (no shorts or skirts)
•Must wear closed shoes (no open-toed shoes or sandals)
•No Jewelry is allowed in the kitchen (rings, bracelets, watches, dangling earrings)
•Hats and/or head covering is required (although hairnets are provided)
•Disposable aprons and gloves will also be provided onsite
•Head phones (of any kind) are prohibited in the kitchen
SAFETY:
- All volunteers must be at least 14 years of age or older. Volunteers under the age of 18 will NOT be allowed to use knives or operate heavy kitchen equipment.
- When in the kitchen please be aware of what is going on around you. Always warn people that you are coming behind them with something hot or if you are carrying something sharp. “I am behind you - hot!”
- Always suit-up at the beginning of your shift. First put on a hairnet and apron. Next wash hands. Last put on your gloves.
- Check-in with the chef on duty for directions. If you have any questions please ask the chef for clarification. MANNA chefs and kitchen personnel are there to help you.
- If you are sick, please stay at home and get well. Do not come to MANNA to volunteer. We will look forward to seeing you when you are better! These regulations are for your safety and that of our clients—at MANNA, safety comes first!
MANNA is located at 2323 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (off of 23rd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets). There is street parking on Ranstead Street, but it is on a first come, first served basis. There is also metered street parking throughout the area and there is a pay lot on the corner of 23rd and Market. Please park in a legally marked space and be sure to feed your meter, as MANNA is not responsible for parking violations.
When you come to MANNA early in the morning our front door is locked. Enter through our loading dock. Follow the ramp at the far right into our kitchen and the chef on duty will help you sign in and get started.
You can find further information and directions to MANNA at
If you have any questions, or we can help in any way, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to having you in the MANNA kitchen!
Jen Stackhouse
Manager - MANNA Volunteer Services Department